Zipper, slider for a zipper and method for operating a zipper

ABSTRACT

A zipper (1) comprising at least one sensor unit (9), wherein the at least one sensor unit (9) is designed to detect a slider position and/or a change in the slider position of a slider (2) of the zipper (1) and to provide a slider position signal corresponding to the detected slider position and/or a slider position change signal corresponding to the detected change in the slider position. A slider (2) for a zipper (1) and a method for operating a zipper (1) are also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a zipper, to a slider for a zipper, and to a method for operating a zipper.

2. Brief Description of the Related Art

A zipper comprises a start part and a stop part, a slider or slide body having a slider tab arranged thereon, teeth that mesh with one another, and a tape, into which the teeth are incorporated and which is used for connection to a textile. A zipper can be used to interconnect pieces of material on items of clothing, utility textiles, bags, or shoes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem addressed by the invention is to improve a zipper and a method for operating a zipper, in particular to expand the functionality of the zipper.

The problem is solved according to the invention by a zipper having the features that include at least one sensor unit designed to detect a slider position and/or a change in the slider position of a slider of the zipper and to provide a slider position signal corresponding to the detected slider position and/or a slider position change signal corresponding to the detected change in the slider position. The invention also provides a slider for a zipper, comprising at least one sensor unit that is designed to detect a slider position and/or a change in the slider position of the slider on the zipper and to provide a slider position signal corresponding to the detected slider position and/or a slider position change signal corresponding to the detected change in the slider position. The invention also provides a method for operating a zipper, wherein by means of at least one sensor unit, a slider position and/or a change in the slider position of a slider of the zipper is detected and a slider position signal corresponding to the detected slider position and/or a slider position change signal corresponding to the detected change in the slider position is provided. Advantageous configurations of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

In particular, a zipper is provided which comprises at least one sensor unit, wherein the at least one sensor unit is designed to detect a slider position and/or a change in the slider position of a slider of the zipper and to provide a slider position signal corresponding to the detected slider position and/or a slider position change signal corresponding to the detected change in the slider position.

Furthermore, a slider for a zipper is in particular provided which comprises at least one sensor unit, wherein the at least one sensor unit is designed to detect a slider position and/or a change in the slider position of the slider on the zipper and to provide a slider position signal corresponding to the detected slider position and/or a slider position change signal corresponding to the detected change in the slider position.

In addition, a method for operating a zipper is provided, wherein, by means of at least one sensor unit, a slider position and/or a change in the slider position of a slider of the zipper is detected and a slider position signal corresponding to the detected slider position and/or a slider position change signal corresponding to the detected change in the slider position is provided.

It is one of the basic concepts of the invention to detect, by means of at least one sensor unit, a slider position and/or a change in the slider position of a slider of the zipper and to provide a slider position signal corresponding to the slider position and/or a slider position change signal corresponding to the detected change in the slider position. This makes it possible to expand the functionality of the zipper and to not only use the zipper for closing and opening openings and/or for connecting parts of items of clothing, but also to use it for controlling functions and/or devices, for example. Since zippers are integrated in many everyday items of clothing and are arranged in the immediate vicinity of the body, they can provide a control means and/or operating means that is always accessible, easy to find, and difficult to lose.

The zipper in particular comprises a slider and a tape. Teeth or closure elements are formed on the tape, which are brought into engagement with one another in a known manner to close the zipper when they run through the slider during closure.

The zipper further comprises, in particular, a control apparatus, which is configured to control the at least one sensor unit and/or to derive the slider position signal and/or the slider position change signal from detected sensor data from the at least one sensor unit and to output it in order to provide it, for example. Either on its own or in combination with other apparatuses, the control apparatus can be configured as a combination of hardware and software, for example as program code, which is executed on a microcontroller or microprocessor. It can, however, be provided that parts are configured as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), either on their own or in combination.

In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that at least one electronic and/or mechanical device is controlled by means of the provided slider position signal and/or the provided slider position change signal and/or a signal derived therefrom.

Accordingly, the zipper can be designed to generate and provide at least one control signal for controlling at least one electronic and/or mechanical device on the basis of the provided slider position signal and/or the provided slider position change signal and/or the signal derived therefrom. The at least one control signal can be generated and provided by means of the control apparatus, for example.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the zipper comprises at least one wireless communication interface, the at least one wireless communication interface being configured to transmit the slider position signal and/or the slider position change signal and/or a signal derived therefrom. This in particular allows for wireless coupling to a mobile terminal, e.g. a smartphone, or another communication partner, for example a door controller of an automatic door, etc. The communication interface can be configured as a Bluetooth interface, mobile radio interface, and/or WLAN interface, for example. The zipper then comprises a controller that is accordingly configured for this purpose.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the at least one sensor unit is arranged at, on, or in a slider of the zipper. In particular, it can be provided that, in addition to the at least one sensor unit, the control apparatus, the communication interface, and optionally other apparatuses used to provide the slider position and/or the change in the slider position are also formed at, on, or in the slider. As a result, in addition to producing a very compact, i.e. space-saving, design, it is also possible to retrofit zippers with the sensor unit. This is done in particular by a slider of a zipper simply being replaced with one of the sliders described in this disclosure.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the at least one sensor unit comprises at least one optical sensor for detecting teeth or closure elements of the zipper running past the slider when closing and/or opening the zipper. In particular, the teeth or closure elements running past are counted by a counter. When the total number of teeth or closure elements of the zipper is known, a slider position can be calculated therefrom on the basis of a counter reading of the counter. Here, the at least one optical sensor is in particular intended to be a sensor designed to detect electromagnetic radiation, in particular to detect light in the visible and/or invisible spectral range. The at least one optical sensor can be designed as a photodiode, for example.

In one embodiment variant, it is provided that the at least one sensor unit further comprises at least one radiation source, which is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation of at least one defined wavelength or in at least one defined wavelength range, the sensor unit being arranged and designed to detect teeth or closure elements of the zipper running past on the basis of a change in transmission or reflection and/or remission of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiation source, this change being brought about by a tooth or closure element running past. The radiation source is in particular a light source which emits light in the visible and/or invisible spectral range.

When a change in the transmission is detected, a sufficiently high signal contrast of a signal detected at the optical sensor can be brought about by the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiation source being obscured or screened by a tooth or closure element running past in comparison with the undisturbed transmission of the electromagnetic radiation through gaps between the teeth or closure elements, such that the teeth or closure elements running past can be reliably detected separately from one another in the detected signal.

As a result, a sensor unit is provided, for example in the form of a light barrier, in which a light path between a light source and an optical sensor is obscured by the teeth or closure elements running past, and therefore a number of teeth or closure elements can be determined in a signal provided by the optical sensor.

When a change in the reflection and/or remission is detected, a sufficiently high signal contrast of a signal detected at the optical sensor can be brought about by the teeth or closure elements running past and a change in the reflection and/or remission on a surface of a tooth or closure element brought about thereby in comparison with a gap between two teeth or two closure elements in which no reflection and/or remission or at least little reflection and/or remission occurs, such that the teeth or closure elements running past can be reliably detected separately from one another in the detected signal.

In both cases, a number of teeth or closure elements that have run past can therefore be directly determined and evaluated from the (periodic) signal detected by the optical sensor. Since the number corresponds to a distance covered by the slider, the number can be used to estimate a slider position. Furthermore, the use of an optical sensor and a radiation source, in particular a light source, is cost-effective and robust. For example, cost-effective light-emitting diodes and photodiodes can be used for this purpose. In particular, infrared diodes or infrared transceivers can be used to do this.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the at least one sensor unit further comprises at least one sound source, which is configured to emit sound waves of at least one defined frequency or in at least one defined frequency range, the sensor unit being arranged and designed to detect teeth of the zipper running past on the basis of a change in transmission or reflection and/or remission of the sound waves emitted by the sound source, this change being brought about by a tooth or closure element running past. As a result, a number of teeth or closure elements running past can be detected. For example, this is detected by means of a sensor accordingly configured for this purpose, for example by means of a microphone or ultrasonic sensor.

In one embodiment, it is provided that electrical power required for operating the at least one sensor unit and/or the at least one wireless communication interface is provided by means of an accumulator arranged in, at, or on the slider. This means that the required electrical power can be provided directly at the location of the at least one sensor unit.

In one embodiment, it is provided that a charging apparatus is arranged on the zipper at least at one slider position, by means of which apparatus a contact-based or wireless charging connection can be established with the slider for charging the accumulator. A contact-based charging connection can be established by means of electrical contacts, for example, which are brought into electrical contact with one another at the intended slider position. A wireless charging connection can be established by means of inductive coupling, for example. Corresponding induction coils are provided in the slider and at the intended slider position in the tape of the zipper. One advantage of this is that no contact has to be established, meaning that wear is reduced and a service life can be increased.

In one embodiment, it is provided that at least one induction coil is formed in the slider, wherein the teeth or closure elements of the zipper comprise a magnetic material, wherein the at least one induction coil is designed to charge the accumulator by means of a current induced when the slider moves along the teeth or closure elements.

In one embodiment, it is provided that a tape and/or teeth or closure elements of the zipper are designed, at least partly, as part of an electrical component such that an electrical and/or magnetic property of the electrical component can be changed on the basis of the slider position and/or a closure state of the zipper, the at least one sensor unit being designed to detect the electrical and/or magnetic property and/or a change in the electrical and/or magnetic property.

In one embodiment variant, it is provided that the tape and/or teeth or closure elements together with the slider are designed to provide sliding resistance, the at least one sensor unit being designed to detect an electrical resistance that is dependent on the slider position.

In another embodiment variant, it is provided that the sides of the tape and/or teeth or closure elements of the zipper are designed as capacitor electrodes of a capacitor having a capacitance that varies on the basis of the slider position, the at least one sensor unit being designed to detect a capacitance of the capacitor. In particular, the capacitor electrodes can be formed by means of electrically conductive teeth. All of the teeth on each side of the tape each form a capacitor electrode. The individual teeth on each side are electrically interconnected, but their surfaces are enclosed by an electrically insulating (dielectric) material so that, when the teeth are closed, no electrical contact is established between opposite teeth. When the teeth are brought into engagement with one another, a distance between the capacitor electrodes changes, meaning that a capacitance changes as the slider position varies.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the zipper comprises a direction-detecting sensor unit that is arranged in, at, or on the slider, is mechanically connected to a slider tab of the zipper, and is designed to detect a pulling direction and/or pushing direction when the slider is actuated and to provide a directional signal corresponding thereto. In particular, a pulling force or pushing force applied by means of the slider tab is mechanically transmitted to the slider by means of the direction-detecting sensor unit. The direction-detecting sensor unit can be designed as a miniature joystick, for example, on the handle of which the slider tab is arranged. In addition to pulling and pushing (moving the slider along the tape), a pulling or pushing force can additionally also be detected perpendicularly to the tape. This means that further functions can be controlled, for example. A directional signal detected by means of the direction-detecting sensor unit can likewise be transmitted via the wireless communication interface.

In one embodiment, it is provided that at least one reset element for resetting the slider position in a targeted manner is formed at least at an upper tape end and/or at a lower tape end in at least one reset position. As a result, a slider position, in particular expressed by a counter position for a number of teeth or closure elements, can be reset. It can be provided here that a slider position is reset to zero or another value. In particular, at least one reset element is provided at a reset position for resetting to zero (e.g. zipper completely open) and one reset element is provided at a reset position for resetting to a maximum number of teeth or closure elements (e.g. zipper completely closed). Depending on the current counter reading (close to zero or close to the maximum number), when the relevant reset element is reached, the counter number is set to zero or to the maximum value.

Further reset elements can be provided. It can be provided here that the reset elements have coding that can be detected by a reset sensor unit, such that a reset element and, using this element, a clear reset position (in particular a certain number of teeth or closure elements) can be clearly identified.

In one embodiment variant, it is provided that the at least one reset element comprises a magnetic element, the slider comprising a magnetic-field sensor for detecting a magnetic field induced by the magnetic element in order to identify the at least one reset position. The magnetic element is a permanent magnet incorporated into the tape of the zipper, for example. The magnetic-field sensor is designed as a Hall effect sensor, for example.

The reset sensor unit can alternatively comprise a contact sensor for detecting contact closure brought about by a reset element.

Further features for configuring the slider result from the description of configurations of the zipper. In this case, each of the advantages of the slider are the same as those in the configurations of the zipper.

Further features for configuring the method result from the description of configurations of the zipper. In this case, each of the advantages of the method are the same as those in the configurations of the zipper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The invention is explained in greater detail in the following on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are schematic exploded views of an embodiment of the zipper, with only the slider being shown;

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are schematic views of the embodiment of the zipper shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b , with only the slider being shown;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a further embodiment of the zipper;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a further embodiment of the zipper;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a further embodiment of the zipper;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a further embodiment of the zipper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are schematic exploded views of an embodiment of the zipper from a perspective from above (FIG. 1 a ) and a perspective from below (FIG. 1 b ), with only a slider 2 of the zipper being shown.

The slider 1 comprises an upper carrier part 3 and a lower carrier part 4. The carrier parts 3, 4 can consist of a plastics material, for example, and can be produced by means of 3D printing, for example. Furthermore, the slider 2 comprises an upper printed circuit board 5 and a lower printed circuit board 6. The upper printed circuit board 5 and the lower printed circuit board 6 are electrically interconnected by means of contacts 8, which are guided through by a wedge 7 of the slider 2, the contacts 8 also being guided through the upper carrier part 3 and the lower carrier part 4. Alternatively, the contacts can also be guided along in front of the wedge 7.

A sensor unit 9 is formed on each of the printed circuit boards 5, 6 on an inner face. The sensor units 9 each comprise an optical sensor 10, for example a photodiode, and an electromagnetic radiation source 11, for example a light-emitting diode. The optical sensor 10 and the electromagnetic radiation source 11 are designed as an infrared transceiver, for example. Electromagnetic radiation (e.g. in the IR range) emitted by the radiation source 11 is radiated through windows 12 in the form of cut-outs in the carrier parts 3, 4 and impinges on a surface of teeth or closure elements of the zipper which run through the slider 2 when opening and closing the zipper. Electromagnetic radiation that is either reflected and/or remitted when the teeth or closure elements run through enters through the windows 12 at least partly in an opposite direction and impinges on the optical sensor 10 in each case. Depending on where the teeth or closure elements are positioned in relation to the window 12 and the electromagnetic radiation, the electromagnetic radiation that is either reflected and/or remitted varies. When the teeth or closure elements run through the slider 2, this results in a periodic signal, such that a number of teeth or closure elements that run through the slider 2 can be determined by counting. If a starting point for the slider position (e.g. zipper completely open or closed) and a direction is known, the slider position and/or a change in the slider position can be determined from the determined number.

The embodiment shown comprises a total of two sensor units 9. In other embodiments, just one sensor unit 9 or more than two sensor units 9 can also be provided.

The optical sensors 10 provide a signal on the basis of detected electromagnetic radiation. To evaluate the signal, the slider 2 comprises or the sensor units 9 of the slider 2 each comprise a control apparatus 13 (controller). This derives a slider position and/or a change in the slider position from the signal. From the slider position and/or the change in the slider position, the control apparatus 13 generates a corresponding slider position signal and/or a slider position change signal corresponding to the detected change in the slider position. Further signals can be derived from the slider position and/or the change in the slider position, which signals for example only indicate that the slider 2 has been moved and/or how fast the slider 2 has been moved.

It can be provided that the slider 2 comprise a wireless communication interface 14, which is configured as a Bluetooth interface, for example. The wireless communication interface 14 is configured to transmit the slider position signal and/or the slider position change signal and/or a signal derived therefrom to at least one receiver.

It can in particular be provided that the sensor unit 9 can also determine a direction in which the slider 2 is moved. This can determine whether the zipper is being closed or opened by a movement of the slider 2.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the slider 2 comprises a direction-detecting sensor unit arranged in, at, or on the slider 2.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the direction-detecting sensor unit 15 is mechanically connected to a slider tab 16 of the zipper, the direction-detecting sensor unit 15 being designed to detect a pulling direction and/or pushing direction when the slider 2 is actuated and to provide a directional signal corresponding thereto. The direction-detecting sensor unit 15 is designed as a miniature joystick, for example. It can be provided that, in addition to a movement direction of the slider 2, the miniature joystick can also detect further directions, e.g. sideways or movements directed perpendicularly to a tape of the zipper. As a result, further functions can be controlled, for example.

In an alternative or additional embodiment, it is provided that the direction-detecting sensor unit operates in the manner of an optical computer mouse. The optical sensor 10 of the sensor unit 9 comprises a plurality of image elements such that a spatially resolved image of the teeth or closure elements of the zipper running past can be detected. By means of image processing methods, a shift in the detected images can then be identified and from this, a movement direction of the slider 2 can also be determined in addition to a number of teeth or closure elements that are running through the slider 2.

The slider 2 further comprises an accumulator 17, e.g. a battery, which provides electrical power for operating the sensor units 9 and the wireless communication interface 14. The accumulator 17 is arranged in a battery cell carrier 18. Furthermore, the slider 2 comprises charging contacts 19, which can establish an electrical connection with contacts formed to be complementary to the charging contacts 19 when the slider 2 is arranged at a lower tape end of the zipper, for example at a box part, such that the accumulator 17 can be charged via the charging contacts 19. The slider 2 comprises a charge controller 20 for regulating the charging of the accumulator 17.

Furthermore, the slider 2 can comprise an additional housing (not shown) for accommodating and protecting the printed circuit boards 5, 6 and the sensor units 9.

It can be provided that at least one reset element (not shown) for resetting the slider position in a targeted manner is formed at least at an upper tape end and/or at a lower tape end of the zipper in at least one reset position.

It can in particular be provided here that the at least one reset element comprises a magnetic element, the slider 2 comprising a magnetic-field sensor (not shown) for detecting a magnetic field induced by the magnetic element in order to identify the at least one reset position. When the magnetic field is detected by the magnetic-field sensor, a counter reading of a number of teeth or closure elements is reset, for example. In this case, different magnetic fields can be provided for different slider positions, such that a counter can be reset both to zero (e.g. zipper completely open) and to a maximum value (zipper completely closed) by means of coding configured via said magnetic fields.

The charging contacts 19 can alternatively or additionally also be used to reset the slider position. For example, it can be provided that the slider position is reset to zero (e.g. completely open zipper) each time the accumulator is charged by means of the charging contacts 19.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the slider 2 additionally comprises an identification chip, e.g. an RFID chip, which can be used for identifying a clear identifier, for example as part of two-factor authentication.

In an alternative or additional embodiment, it is provided that transmission of electromagnetic radiation is detected by means of an optical sensor. Here, the sensor unit operates in the manner of a light barrier, i.e. a path of the electromagnetic radiation is interrupted by teeth or closure elements running past, such that a periodic signal that can be detected by means of the optical sensor is generated in the transmitted electromagnetic radiation.

In a further alternative embodiment, an acoustic signal can also be generated and detected, with the operating principle being analogous to the electromagnetic radiation.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are schematic perspective views of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b in the assembled state.

Since the sensor units are completely integrated in the slider 2, conventional zippers can be retrofitted by the slider of these zippers simply being replaced.

It is in particular provided that at least one electronic and/or mechanical device is controlled by means of the provided slider position signal and/or the provided slider position change signal and/or a signal derived therefrom. The slider position signal and/or the provided slider position change signal and/or a signal derived therefrom are, for example, transmitted via the wireless communication interface 14 to the electronic and/or mechanical device, evaluated thereby, and a control signal is derived from an evaluation result. Alternatively, the control signal can also be generated in the zipper itself and can be transmitted to the electronic and/or mechanical device by means of the communication interface 14.

Exemplary applications of the zipper and slider 2 described in this disclosure are:

-   -   controlling a smartphone, e.g. for selecting a music track         and/or for adjusting the volume when playing music; here, a         slider position can correspond to a playlist position or a         volume, for example; further functions can be controlled via a         miniature joystick used for direction recognition;     -   controlling an intelligent house, e.g. light control, access         control, etc.;     -   intelligent textiles, on which light effects are controlled by         the slider position, for example;     -   controlling networked objects (Internet of Things);     -   controlling access to a security area, restricted area, or         quarantine area: a plurality of zippers and/or sliders 2 can be         networked with one another by means of the wireless         communication interface 14 and/or with a door controller, it         being possible, for example, to monitor whether all the zippers         on an item of clothing, for example a protective suit, are         closed; only when all the zippers are closed is access granted         to the security area, restricted area, or quarantine area.

FIGS. 3 to 6 are schematic views of further embodiments of the zipper 1. In these embodiments, it is provided that a tape 21 and/or teeth 22 or closure elements 28 of the zipper 1 are designed, at least partly, as part of an electrical component such that an electrical and/or magnetic property of the electrical component can be changed on the basis of the slider position and/or a closure state of the zipper 1, at least one sensor unit 9 being designed to detect the electrical and/or magnetic property and/or a change in the electrical and/or magnetic property.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , it is provided that the tape 21 together with the slider 2 is designed to provide sliding resistance, the at least one sensor unit being designed to detect an electrical resistance that is dependent on the slider position. It is in particular provided here that an electrical resistance can be changed by the slider position by a length of an electrical conductor 31 set into the tape 21 between the slider 2 and a lower tape end 23 being changed. The greater the distance between the slider 2 and the lower tape end 23, the greater the electrical resistance of the electrical conductor 31 formed between the slider 2 and a lower tape end 23. In this case, the slider 2 is designed such that, in its current slider position, it establishes electrical contact between the electrical conductor 31 and the closest contact 25 on the opposite side of the tape 21. If an electrical voltage is applied between a contact 32 of the electrical conductor 31 at the lower tape end 23 and the contacts 25 arranged at regular intervals on the opposite side of the tape 21, a change in the electrical resistance can, for example, be detected and evaluated by means of a sensor unit (not shown) arranged on the slider 2. The slider position can then be determined from the electrical resistance. The slider position determined in this way and/or a change in the slider position and/or a signal derived therefrom can be transmitted to a receiver by means of a wireless communication interface of the slider 2.

In one embodiment, it is alternatively or additionally provided that contact closure of electrical contacts 25 arranged on the tape 21 takes place when the slider 2 is positioned between two of these contacts 25. Here, the slider 2 is designed at least partly as an electrical conductor, such that it can bring about contact closure between two adjacent contacts 25. Contact closure of this kind can then be detected by means of a sensor unit (not shown) and a slider position and/or a change in the slider position can be determined therefrom.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , it is provided that contact closure between individual electrically conductive teeth 22 is detected by means of the sensor unit. For this purpose, each third tooth 22 is configured to be electrically conductive on both sides of the tape 21. The electrically conductive teeth 22 shown on the right-hand side of the tape 21 each comprise a contact 25, the teeth 22 not being electrically interconnected at different slider positions. The electrically conductive teeth 22 on the left-hand side of the tape 21 are all electrically interconnected. The sensor unit can detect the contact 25 up to which contact closure has taken place between the electrically conductive teeth 22. For this purpose, a voltage can be applied between the contact 32 and the contacts 25 in each case, for example. The contact 25 up to which a current is flowing can then be detected. This allows the slider position of the slider 2 to be detected and determined.

It can additionally be provided that the electrically conductive teeth 22 are magnetic, such that the electrical connection being established is assisted by magnetic attraction of opposing teeth 22.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , the sides of the tape 21 together with the associated teeth 22 of the zipper 1 are each designed as capacitor electrodes 26 of a capacitor having a capacitance that varies on the basis of the slider position. For this purpose, teeth 22 of the zipper 1 comprise an electrically conductive material. The teeth 22 are each coated with an insulating material on the outside. The teeth 22 on each side of the tape 21 are electrically interconnected. A distance 30 between the capacitor electrodes 26 formed thereby can be changed at least partly by opening and closing the zipper 1. By changing the distance 30, a change in the capacitance of the capacitor is brought about that can be detected by means of a sensor unit (not shown). Since a capacitance and a slider position correspond to one another, the slider position and/or a change in the slider position can be determined by means of a capacitance measurement.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 , the zipper 1 is designed as a spiral zipper. The closure elements 28 arranged on the continuous spirals 27 comprise an electrically conductive material. The slider 2 of the zipper 1 is magnetic. In accordance with the principle of electromagnetic induction, a voltage surge is induced in the spirals 27 in this way each time two closure elements 28 are brought into engagement with one another by movement of the slider 2 or each time the connection between two closure elements 28 is disconnected again. The voltage surges can be detected at taps 29 by means of a sensor unit (not shown) of the zipper 1 and can be evaluated to determine the slider position and/or a change in the slider position.

One variant of this embodiment is a spiral 27 subjected to an alternating voltage which triggers voltage surges in the opposite spiral 27 in accordance with the principle of electromagnetic induction when the zipper 1 is closed. This variant is particularly well suited to cases in which only one change in the slider position is intended to be detected.

In a further variant of this embodiment, Hall effect sensors are integrated in the closure elements 28 as part of the sensor unit of the zipper, such that the magnetic slider 2 can be detected by means of the Hall effect sensors.

In one embodiment, the slider 2 comprises at least one Hall effect sensor as part of the sensor unit, the at least one Hall effect sensor being able to detect the closure elements 28 (or teeth) running past, the closure elements 28 or teeth comprising a magnetic material for this purpose.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 Zipper -   2 Slider -   3 Upper carrier part -   4 Lower carrier part -   5 Upper printed circuit board -   6 Lower printed circuit board -   7 Wedge -   8 Contacts -   9 Sensor unit -   10 Optical sensor -   11 Electromagnetic radiation source -   12 Window -   13 Control apparatus -   14 Wireless communication interface -   15 Direction-detecting sensor unit -   16 Slider tab -   17 Accumulator -   18 Battery cell carrier -   19 Charging contact -   20 Charging controller -   21 Tape -   22 Tooth -   23 Lower tape end -   24 Upper tape end -   25 Contact -   26 Capacitor electrode -   27 Spiral -   28 Closure element -   29 Tap -   30 Distance -   31 Electrical conductor -   32 Contact 

What is claimed is:
 1. A zipper comprising: at least one sensor unit, wherein the at least one sensor unit is designed to detect a slider position and/or a change in the slider position of a slider of the zipper and to provide a slider position signal corresponding to the detected slider position and/or a slider position change signal corresponding to the detected change in the slider position.
 2. The zipper according to claim 1, characterized in that the zipper comprises at least one wireless communication interface, the at least one wireless communication interface being configured to transmit the slider position signal and/or the slider position change signal and/or a signal derived therefrom.
 3. The zipper according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one sensor unit is arranged at, on, or in a slider of the zipper.
 4. The zipper according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one sensor unit comprises at least one optical sensor for detecting teeth or closure elements of the zipper running past the slider when closing and/or opening the zipper.
 5. The zipper according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one sensor unit further comprises at least one radiation source, which is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation of at least one defined wavelength or in at least one defined wavelength range, the sensor unit being arranged and designed to detect teeth of the zipper running past on the basis of a change in transmission or reflection and/or remission of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiation source, this change being brought about by a tooth or closure element running past.
 6. The zipper according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one sensor unit further comprises at least one sound source, which is configured to emit sound waves of at least one defined frequency or in at least one defined frequency range, the sensor unit being arranged and designed to detect teeth of the zipper running past on the basis of a change in transmission or reflection and/or remission of the sound waves emitted by the sound source, this change being brought about by a tooth or closure element running past.
 7. The zipper according to claim 1, characterized in that a tape and/or teeth or closure elements of the zipper are designed, at least partly, as part of an electrical component such that an electrical and/or magnetic property of the electrical component can be changed on the basis of the slider position and/or a closure state of the zipper, the at least one sensor unit being designed to detect the electrical and/or magnetic property and/or a change in the electrical and/or magnetic property.
 8. The zipper according to claim 7, characterized in that the tape and/or teeth or closure elements together with the slider are designed to provide sliding resistance, the at least one sensor unit being designed to detect an electrical resistance that is dependent on the slider position.
 9. The zipper according to claim 7, characterized in that the sides of the tape and/or teeth or closure elements of the zipper are designed as capacitor electrodes of a capacitor having a capacitance that varies on the basis of the slider position, the at least one sensor unit being designed to detect a capacitance of the capacitor.
 10. The zipper according to claim 9, characterized by a direction-detecting sensor unit that is arranged in, at, or on the slider, is mechanically connected to a slider tab of the zipper, and is designed to detect a pulling direction and/or pushing direction when the slider is actuated and to provide a directional signal corresponding thereto.
 11. The zipper according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one reset element for resetting the slider position in a targeted manner is formed at least at an upper tape end and/or at a lower tape end in at least one reset position.
 12. A slider for a zipper, comprising at least one sensor unit, wherein the at least one sensor unit is designed to detect a slider position and/or a change in the slider position of the slider on the zipper and to provide a slider position signal corresponding to the detected slider position and/or a slider position change signal corresponding to the detected change in the slider position.
 13. A method for operating a zipper, wherein by means of at least one sensor unit, a slider position and/or a change in the slider position of a slider of the zipper is detected and a slider position signal corresponding to the detected slider position and/or a slider position change signal corresponding to the detected change in the slider position is provided.
 14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that at least one electronic and/or mechanical device is controlled by means of the provided slider position signal and/or the provided slider position change signal and/or a signal derived therefrom.
 15. The zipper according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one sensor unit further comprises at least one sound source, which is configured to emit sound waves of at least one defined frequency or in at least one defined frequency range, the sensor unit being arranged and designed to detect teeth of the zipper running past on the basis of a change in transmission or reflection and/or remission of the sound waves emitted by the sound source, this change being brought about by a tooth or closure element running past.
 16. The zipper according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one sensor unit further comprises at least one sound source, which is configured to emit sound waves of at least one defined frequency or in at least one defined frequency range, the sensor unit being arranged and designed to detect teeth of the zipper running past on the basis of a change in transmission or reflection and/or remission of the sound waves emitted by the sound source, this change being brought about by a tooth or closure element running past.
 17. The zipper according to claim 2, characterized in that a tape and/or teeth or closure elements of the zipper are designed, at least partly, as part of an electrical component such that an electrical and/or magnetic property of the electrical component can be changed on the basis of the slider position and/or a closure state of the zipper, the at least one sensor unit being designed to detect the electrical and/or magnetic property and/or a change in the electrical and/or magnetic property.
 18. The zipper according to claim 3, characterized in that a tape and/or teeth or closure elements of the zipper are designed, at least partly, as part of an electrical component such that an electrical and/or magnetic property of the electrical component can be changed on the basis of the slider position and/or a closure state of the zipper, the at least one sensor unit being designed to detect the electrical and/or magnetic property and/or a change in the electrical and/or magnetic property.
 19. The zipper according to claim 1, characterized by a direction-detecting sensor unit that is arranged in, at, or on the slider, is mechanically connected to a slider tab of the zipper, and is designed to detect a pulling direction and/or pushing direction when the slider is actuated and to provide a directional signal corresponding thereto.
 20. The zipper according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one reset element for resetting the slider position in a targeted manner is formed at least at an upper tape end and/or at a lower tape end in at least one reset position. 